Horseback Riding at 7 lakes Ausangate Private |Optional Hike

The big draw here is the seven Ausangate lakes, a chain of turquoise, green, and other changing colors beneath the snow-covered Ausangate Mountain. You can reach them on foot or choose the horseback option, which makes this long high-altitude day more manageable.

I like two things in particular: the genuine stop for breakfast in a local home at Pacchanta, and the chance to finish with hot springs after several hours outside. The drawback is clear: this is a very long day, with an early pickup, roughly five hours of walking, and an altitude of about 4,100 meters.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven high-altitude lakes: See a striking range of turquoise and emerald-green water in the Ausangate area.
• Horseback option available: Choose a horse if you want support during the roughly 10-kilometer route.
• Local breakfast in Pacchanta: Eat an Andean meal in a local home before setting out.
• Private group format: Travel by private vehicle with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide.
• Hot springs at the finish: End the outing with a soak, with entry costing 10 soles.
• A demanding full-day trip: Expect pickup between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. and a return to Cusco after about 12 to 15 hours.

Why the Ausangate lakes are worth the long day

This outing is built around color and scale. Ausangate Mountain rises in the distance while a series of lakes sits among the high Andes. The water can appear turquoise, emerald green, or another shade depending on the lake, light, and weather.

You do not come here for one polished viewpoint and a quick photograph. The appeal is the changing scenery along the route. You move from Pacchanta into open mountain country, pass vegetation suited to the high Andes, and reach several lakes rather than stopping after the first one.

The first lagoon is about 5 to 6 kilometers from the starting point. Reaching it takes around an hour and a half, then you continue toward the other lakes. The total walking section is about 10 kilometers and takes around five hours.

That distance matters. Five hours at altitude can feel very different from five hours at sea level. If your body is not handling Cusco well, this is not the day to prove a point. The tour specifically excludes people with altitude sickness and respiratory issues, and it is not suitable for pregnant women, children under 12, wheelchair users, or people over 75.

Leaving Cusco before sunrise

Pickup is scheduled between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. from your hotel in Cusco. The exact time depends on availability, so confirm it before bed and keep your daypack ready.

The drive to the Ausangate area takes about three hours in a private van. That is a useful advantage for a private group: you do not have to organize several connections or adjust your pace to a large crowd. It also gives your guide more room to explain the route and respond to your needs.

Still, this is not a gentle morning. You will spend around six hours in the vehicle over the whole day, including the return to Cusco. Bring water, warm clothing, gloves, sunscreen, and a camera. The early start also means you should have a plan for breakfast if your pickup comes closer to 4:00 a.m., although the main morning meal is provided later in Pacchanta.

Pacchanta breakfast at 4,100 meters

The village of Pacchanta sits at about 4,100 meters near Ausangate Mountain. This is where the day becomes more than a mountain transfer.

Local people invite you into their homes for a nutritious breakfast made with Andean ingredients. The meal is scheduled for about 7:30 a.m. and lasts roughly an hour. It gives you a useful chance to eat before the long walk, warm up, and meet people who live in this high mountain region.

I value this kind of meal because it connects the outing to the community around the lakes. You are not simply being driven to a photo stop, then driven away. The visit offers a small but direct look at local life and food traditions.

Your body may also notice the altitude here. Take breakfast slowly, drink water, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. A medical or first aid kit is included, but it is still your job to be honest about how you feel.

Choosing between hiking and horseback riding

You can complete the route on foot or choose the horseback riding option. The horse is included only if you select that option when booking.

The horseback choice is useful if you want to see the lakes but are concerned about five hours of walking. It does not turn the day into a short ride, though. You are still heading into a high-altitude mountain area, and you should expect outdoor exposure, uneven ground, and changing weather.

If you are a strong hiker who enjoys moving at your own pace, walking may give you the fullest connection to the route. You can focus on the plants, mountain views, alpacas, and people in traditional clothing that appear along the way.

If you would rather save energy for the lakes, a horse can make the distance more practical. Ask the operator for clear details about how much of the route is ridden and whether you should still expect walking sections. The supplied information confirms the horse option but does not give a detailed riding schedule.

The five-hour route through Ausangate country

After breakfast, you head into the Andes with the guide. The first lake takes about 1.5 hours to reach, covering roughly 5 to 6 kilometers. This opening stretch sets the rhythm for the day and gives you your first broad views toward Ausangate Mountain.

At the first lagoon, pause for photographs and take in the color of the water against the surrounding peaks. This is only the beginning, not the final stop. The route continues to other lakes located higher in the mountain range.

The full walking route is about 10 kilometers and takes close to five hours. Along the way, you may see high-Andean vegetation, alpacas, and local people wearing traditional clothing. Those details give the route a human and living quality that a quick roadside lookout cannot provide.

The guide also explains local flora and fauna and the importance of the Ausangate glacier. That interpretation adds useful context to the scenery. You learn not only what you are seeing, but why the mountain and glacier matter to the region.

Weather can shift quickly at this altitude. The tour runs rain or shine, so your warm layers and waterproof protection are not optional extras. Sun can be strong even when the air feels cold, so sunscreen and a hat belong in your daypack.

A private trip with a personal pace

The private format is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience over a large group outing. You travel with private transportation and a bilingual guide in English or Spanish. A private group can usually discuss the pace and stop for photographs without waiting for a busload of people.

Guides named Alexander and Julio are associated with this excursion. Alexander is connected with the breakfast and lunch experience, while Julio is named as a guide for the Ausangate trek. Guide assignments can change, so treat those names as useful reference points rather than a guarantee.

A private tour does not remove the physical demands. It simply gives you a more personal setting in which to manage them. You should still be comfortable with a long day, high altitude, and a route that may be affected by rain.

Lunch, hot springs, and the ride back

After the lake route, you return toward Pacchanta for lunch. The meal is included, and it gives you time to sit down after the long outdoor section.

The final reward is the local hot spring. Entry costs 10 soles and is not included in the tour price. Bring cash for this, as well as for any other small purchases during the day.

A hot soak can feel especially welcome after five hours of walking or riding. It also gives the day a calmer ending before the three-hour van ride back to Cusco. The return arrival is not early. With pickup, driving, breakfast, the lake route, lunch, and the hot spring stop, plan on a 12 to 15-hour day.

Dinner is not included. Since you may return to Cusco late, carry a snack or arrange something simple for after the tour.

Is the $139 price good value?

At $139 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see mountain scenery near Cusco. The price becomes easier to justify when you add up what is covered: hotel pickup, private transportation, a bilingual guide, entrance to the attraction, breakfast, lunch, a first aid kit, and a horse if you select horseback riding.

The private vehicle is important here. You are not paying only for access to a viewpoint. You are paying for a full-day trip into a remote area, with the convenience of pickup and a guide who can explain the surroundings.

The included local meals also help. Breakfast in a Pacchanta home and lunch after the route give the day a stronger connection to the area than bringing a packed meal from Cusco. The 10 soles hot-spring fee is modest, but remember to add it to your budget. Dinner, personal snacks, and other spending are also separate.

I would see the price as fair for a private outing, especially if two or more people want their own vehicle and guide. If you are traveling alone, the cost may feel higher than a group tour, but the private format can be worth it if you care about flexibility and quiet.

What to pack for the altitude and weather

Keep your daypack light, but do not cut the essentials. You should bring:

• Passport
• Water
• Sunscreen
• Gloves
• Warm clothing
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera
• Cash
• Daypack

The clothing list is serious. At 4,100 meters, cold air and strong sun can arrive together. Gloves help in the early morning, while sunscreen matters during the brighter parts of the route.

Comfortable shoes are essential if you plan to walk. If you choose the horse, you should still be ready for some time on foot because the supplied details do not specify that every section is ridden.

The tour runs in rain or shine. A rain layer would be a sensible addition, even though it is not listed among the required items. That recommendation follows directly from the weather policy, not from any promise about conditions.

Who should book this Ausangate day?

I would recommend this experience to someone who wants a full mountain day and is willing to trade sleep for scenery. It suits adults who can handle altitude, a long schedule, and about five hours of outdoor activity.

The horseback option makes it more accessible for people who want the Ausangate lakes without committing to the entire route on foot. It is still not a relaxed sightseeing trip, and you should ask about riding details before booking.

This is less suitable if you have a tight Cusco schedule, dislike early starts, or are still struggling with altitude. The tour also excludes children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with respiratory issues, people with altitude sickness, and people over 75.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. Those policies do not change the physical demands, so make your health and energy the first part of your decision.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want colorful lakes, Ausangate views, local meals, and a private day with the choice of hiking or horseback riding. The combination of Pacchanta hospitality, a five-hour route, and hot springs gives you more than a quick mountain photo stop.

Skip it if you need a short excursion, cannot manage high altitude, or prefer a flexible afternoon back in Cusco. For the right person, the $139 price is reasonable because it covers transport, guiding, meals, entrance, and the private format. Just arrive prepared for the early start and the long day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is included from your hotel in Cusco. Pickup generally takes place between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts about 12 to 15 hours, including transportation, the lake route, meals, and the hot-spring stop.

How long is the drive from Cusco?

The van ride to the Ausangate area takes about three hours, followed by another three-hour drive back to Cusco.

How much walking is involved?

The walking route is approximately 10 kilometers and takes about five hours. The first lagoon is around 5 to 6 kilometers from the starting point and takes about 1.5 hours to reach.

Can I ride a horse instead of walking?

Yes. Horseback riding is available as an option, and the horse is included if you choose that option. The supplied details do not specify how much of the route is ridden.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. At Pacchanta, local people invite you into their homes for breakfast made with Andean ingredients. Breakfast is scheduled for around 7:30 a.m.

Are the hot springs included in the price?

No. Hot-spring entry costs 10 soles and is paid separately.

What languages are available for the guide?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Spanish.